St. Jude's Ranch for Children (by Michael Franti)
On August 20th I took a trip out to Saint Jude's Ranch For Children, in Boulder City Nevada, just outside of Las Vegas. Jay Bowman, Jolene Rust, my son Ade' and myself brought our guitars and voices along to play for the kids there.
Saint Jude's was started by Episcopal priest, Father Jack Adam who wanted to create a safe haven for abused, abandoned and neglected children in Southern Nevada. He named the organization after St. Jude, the Patron Saint of Desperate Causes. The forty acres of land that it sits on were donated via a fund raising event hosted by Ed MacMahon with performers Jack Benny, Shecky Greene, Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra in 1966. Originally the Ranch was staffed by Nuns, but today the Ranch is not affiliated with any religious body, although a gorgeous chapel still exists on the site.
We met in the cafeteria and played several songs for the children, foster parents and staff who all live on the ranch. The kids ranging from infants to teenagers were all thrilled and full of energy dancing and singing along. All the littlest kids took a particular fondness to Jolene who did not spend a moment without a toddler waiting to take a turn sitting in her lap.
After playing for the kids we took a walk around the grounds of the ranch and visited one of the ten homes on site. Each of the houses is a complete family structure with bedrooms kitchen living room etc. but most importantly each home has parents that live there full time. Each house has about 6 kids in it and every effort is made to make sure that siblings live together. The kids go to regular public schools and are each required to take care of there rooms and chores around the house. It was sad to see how little each of these kids has, just one or two toys or books that they keep displayed on there one bookshelf. I'm sure any donations of toys or books would be greatly appreciated. One boy had one picture on his shelf, a picture of his father who i could see in his eyes he loved very much. He then turned looked at me and said,"he's in prison".
Each of the kids were so sweet and were so proud to show off the acrobatic and juggling skills that they learned through a six week workshop put on by the amazing Cirque Du Soleil acrobats.
Saint Jude's is the only home facility in southern Nevada that provides car for teenage mothers. I met many of these mom's and their beautiful baby's. They were all bright, inspired and ambitious. Until Saint Jude's created a house for these young women, the only place the state had for them was in juvenile detention facilities where they said,"at least the women and their baby's had three square meals, healthcare and were not exposed to sexual abuse".
When I left Saint Jude's I had such a feeling of gratitude for having been adopted as a baby by The Franti Family who loved and cared for me. I was also grateful that for kids waiting adoption or placement back in their own homes in Southern Nevada that there is a place as loving as Saint Jude's. I look forward to returning there next year.
Saint Jude's receives 40 percent of it's annual budget from the state of Nevada, but as in most states these days, money for homes like this is dwindling each year. The other 60 percent comes from sales of recycled greeting cards that the kids themselves make and from the generous donations of people like you and I. If you would like to donate or find out more information about Saint Jude's Ranch For Children, please go to http://stjudesranch.org.
Thanks, Michael Franti
Comments
Sep 2010
Michael, how beautiful! I
Michael, how beautiful! I want to work with these children! I am going to the site now to contact them! Namaste'
Jun 2011
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Oct 2010
great performances all week
great performances all week my favorite human being...Michael, but the NAACP performance had me crying, jumping & dancing with joy!!!!!!! did you win the award for world music???
Jan 2011
I would love to offer my
I would love to offer my time, being an artist and an art teacher, I could do a card making class with the kids, it is one way I could help.
Okay, I am going to get on a little soapbox here: "Ahem"....I have loved your music for years, but the in last few days, it has been inspiring me like never before. I awoke a couple of days ago, craving a certain song and when I listened, I connected with your 'message' on a deeper level than I have ever before. A 'door' opened, so to speak and I started crying tears of joy, tears of hope, so many tears, it was intense and really surprised me. The experience led me to your website, which led me to filling out a profile, which led me to this comment. Who knows where that will lead me. I am at a crossroads in my life, I am an artist/teacher that has done so many beautiful things in life, and met so many beautiful people, making art with music, sharing, teaching, loving, and lighting. However at this point in my life, I must also make my art into a successful business in order to support myself. In doing so, I want every action I make to inspire and help others. You are a model to me, a teacher, I am inspired how your life, art and career have become the source of healing and happiness for so many people. May I dance in your footsteps Micheal. I am so grateful for you. Be Light. Mika Holtzinger.
Dec 2010
WOW so inspiring, If you are
WOW so inspiring, If you are ever in Australia and doing anything for children that are disadvantaged please contact me, I have been a humanitarian clown for the last 5 years self funded and supported and could organize getting you to Australian Indigenousness Communities, these children are living in extreme poverty considering we are a wealthy country arrrrgh,
www.magicabroad.com
love and light to you
Tim
Nov 2010
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Oct 2010
Giving Thanx for your fully
Giving Thanx for your fully hatched wide upen to all of existdance heart,dear brutha souljah of love!Oh what sweet sacred synchronocities that blessed me this morning,I was wearing a Waging Peace shirt with your famous mantra :We Can Bomb The World To Pieces But We Cant Bomb It Into Peace,and as i walked into the communal kitchen of The Piedmont House Hostel in Berkeley,Ca(my hometown) a sistah from venice Beach whose a very good friend of yours tells me," you got to meet with this brutha".So.in a kind of cyber heart tribe kinship deep recognition meeting:My heart bows to your heartin this moment,my soul kisses your soul's feet!
Aug 2010
Wow...how inspiring! Its all
Wow...how inspiring! Its all about giving back. I have a personal care home for Mentally challanged adults and have seen firsthand how love can change lives and overcome anything.You being so involved and caring is what sets you apart and hopefully will inspire other's.I know you inspire me daily with your music on the days that I feel as if im being drained by my job as a caregiver. Thank you Thank you Thank you all!
Oct 2010
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Aug 2010
Michael. I was pregnant with
Michael. I was pregnant with a baby and lost her on June 11th I also lost my uterus and my ability to have children. I have always been a healthy woman who loves yoga and taking care of myself. When I could not walk or move due to infection it was so hard to know how to comfort myself when exercise had been the way I was used to. Your songs gave me so much comfort in those days. I have been listening to the Yell Fire CD over and over. Now as I think about how to sell the idea of adoption to my husband you again come to my rescue with your own experience. I am still grieving but when we are ready we will adopt. Thank you for your light. Misha.
Jul 2010
Michael - you prove all the
Michael - you prove all the time that you care and I would like to say a big THANK YOU! You are in a select group of artists that consistenly give back and for that you deserve a huge hug! I am still basking in the joy that you gave me on Aug 26th at the Tabernacle in Atlanta when you called me up on stage to meet you and dance! Looking forward to that night had gotten me through some hard times the past few months. I lost my job as a job-share teacher in Aug of 2009. I then began working as a hospice nurse for a dear friend dying of breast cancer. Then in Nov. of '09 my husband developed MRSA stap and subsequently lost his right leg to it in Feb '10. Within a week he had to have open heart surgery. Then my friend pasted away from the cancer. My husband is on dialysis also and we decided to try home hemodialysis so I now give him that 5 days a week. We live in a hotel in a handicapped room because he is unable to live in our house so we have had a lot of changes this year. However, I am a "glass is half-full" kinda of gal so I keep going but when I get down I put on the video "Say Hey" and it always makes me smile! However,one of my favorite songs/videos is "Hey World". It makes me remember my trip to Belize and the shocking conditions so many of the people have to live in and yet it also was one of the most beautiful countries I have ever seen. Continue with the wonderful work you do and you can bet I will be giving to St. Jude's Ranch. We need some many places like that in this world where children can feel loved and safe! You can also bet that I will be back to see you in concert again! Beth Harati
Aug 2010
Michael, I would like to
Michael, I would like to thank you for the help you are giving my daughter. My husband died in a fall 3 weeks ago. She turned 5 four days later. Say Hey was their song. She was his baby girl and slept in his arms almost every night of her life. She knows Daddy is up above and still loves her, but of course this is very hard for both of us. Phoebe thinks somehow that you are sending her love from Daddy. I believe it too. When you come to New Hampshire, we will be there to see you. God bless you, your friends Marcia and Phoebe Harrison
Aug 2010
Michael, what a great post. I
Michael, what a great post. I so appreciate your unique station in life. You have no doubt worked long and hard work to get to where you are. Way too many artists lap it up without any thought for the rest of the world or humanity. I think it speaks so well of your upbringing and you, that you seem to always look to give back. I try to instill this in my children. I will help St. Judes' based upon you shining the light on it. Love your music and as I said after the show in Boise - Eagle - you make me so happy. Peace to you.